Blanid E. Scott

Longtime Princeton resident Blanid E. Scott died of natural causes at her home on April 3, 2018. She had recently celebrated her 94th birthday with her family on March 25.

Mrs. Scott was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1924 to Blanid McGady Ennis and Dr. William Ennis. She attended St. Xavier’s in Brooklyn before her 1942 graduation from the Convent of the Sacred Heart-Eden Hall in Torresdale, Pa. She worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York during World War II before moving to California to marry Princeton University alumnus David Janvier Scott in 1947.

Mrs. Scott relocated to Princeton in 1960 with her husband and six children. She cut a familiar and welcoming figure to countless Princetonians who came of age in the 60s and 70s, presiding over a busy household where an antique pool table and the latest music were in constant play. Throughout her long life, many of her children’s grown friends and classmates from Stuart Country Day School, Princeton High School, and the Lawrenceville School made a special point of visiting her home whenever they returned to town. She will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her for impeccable manners, effortless style, genuine warmth, and undying loyalty.

Mrs. Scott was predeceased by her husband David in 1991 and her eldest son, David J. Scott, Jr. in 1981. She is survived by her children Sheila N. Scott of New York, N.Y.; Bridgett L. Scott of Yardley, Pa.; Samuel R. Scott (Kimberly) of Tampa, Fla.; Peter M. Scott (Julie) of Washington, D.C.; and Nora C. Scott of London, U.K.; grandchildren Samuel R. Scott,Jr. of New York, N.Y.; Katharine N. Kennedy-Sloane of London, U.K.; Abigail J. Scott of Tampa Fla.; Charlotte P. Scott, Bridgett R. D. Scott, and Audrey F. Scott (all of Washington D.C.); and a sister, Sheelagh Rabo of Armonk, N.Y.

On her 90th birthday her children donated a Yoshino Cherry Tree in her honor to Marquand Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Marquand Park Foundation.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

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John Zullo

John Zullo, 83 of Lawrenceville, passed away peacefully at his home Monday, April 9, 2018. He was born in Carpinone, Italy, and came to America in 1950. He and his brother, Dominic, owned and operated Reilly’s Market in Princeton for several years. John retired from American Boychoir School in 1996.

He was a lifetime member of Circulo Hispano Americano de Princeton. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and cooking for friends. He is survived by his fiancée Catherine Consoli; daughter Anna Elbaum, and grandchildren, Christopher and Kimberly Elbaum; niece Carmen Imfeld of Florida, nephew Alfredo (Nicole) Zullo of Connecticut; cousin Eduardo Criscouli, and a special kind and caring friend, Dr. John Mercuro, who was considered a son. 

Calling hours will be held on Thursday April 12, 5-8 p.m. at Mather-Hodge, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton.

The funeral will be held 9 a.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018 from the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday April 13, 10 a.m. at the Church of Saint Paul, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton,

Burial will follow in the Princeton Cemetery.

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Joseph M. Pylka

Pylka, Joseph M., 80, of Absecon, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side on April 4, 2018. He was predeceased by his parents, Karol and Mary (Czarnecki) Pylka. He was born in Jersey City, N.J. and grew up in New York City until the family moved to the Princeton area (Griggstown). He is survived by a son, John of Washington, D.C., and his sister, Carolyn Johnson of Absecon, with whom he shared a home. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. His professional career involved being a researcher and educator at Princeton University. His private life was comprised of an avid interest in the environment, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and birding. He taught many nature and recreational courses at adult evening classes in the Princeton area.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Absecon, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment of cremains will be private. In lieu of flowers, please donate to an environmental organization such as Washington Crossing Audubon or Green Acres. For online condolences, please visit www.parselsfh.com.

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Phyllis Spiegel

Phyllis Spiegel of Plainsboro died in February at age 85. Born in the Bronx, she visited over 40 countries and was an avid reader, filmgoer, and lover of classical music and The New York Times. After graduating from NYU she worked in magazine publishing and public relations before starting her own successful PR firm. She always said her greatest achievements were her sons Mark and Adam. She loved and admired their partners Sidney Wu & Guillemette Brouillat-Spiegel as well as nieces Debra Gordon, Fran Katz-Watson, and Marsha Shapiro. Of late, her grandson Seth was the joy of her life. Living alone for decades, she filled her life with learning, intellectual pursuits, exercise classes, travel, and friends. She audited classes at Princeton University, regularly attended the Telluride Film Festival, and volunteered within the New Jersey foster care system and for the Literacy Volunteers. She believed that one should “Create your own life as you go” and that “Life is not a dress rehearsal.” A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on June 23rd at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. All are welcome. Contributions in her name may be made to Plainsboro Public Library and the Society for Humanistic Judaism.

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Memorial Service:

George W. Pitcher

A memorial service for the late George W. Pitcher will be held on Saturday, April 21 at 10 a.m. in the Princeton University Chapel. The Reverend Sue Anne Steffey Morrow will lead the service which will include readings, tributes, and music. A luncheon for family, friends and colleagues will follow at Prospect House.

A Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Princeton University and a trustee of the Edward T. Cone Foundation, Pitcher died peacefully at his home in Princeton on January 12 at the age of 92. He was the author of The Philosophy of Wittgenstein, Berkeley, and A Theory of Perception, as well as the memoir The Dogs Who Came to Stay.